Protective inserts for camera bags and storage systems including the same

ABSTRACT

A protective case is defined by inflatable panels and an inflatable top. When the panels of the protective case are inflated, they may protect an object (e.g., a camera, other photography equipment, a portable electronic device, etc.) that has been placed within a receptacle of the protective case from impacts on the protective case. The protective case may be used alone to carry the object, or it may be introduced into a bag (e.g., a backpack, a camera bag, etc.) that may in turn be carried by an individual. Methods for storing and transporting objects, such as photography equipment and portable electronic devices, are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

A claim for priority to the Feb. 4, 2019 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/801,063, titled PROTECTIVE INSERTS FOR CAMERA BAGS AND STORAGE SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME (“the '063 Provisional Application”), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to camera bags and, more specifically, to protective cases for camera bags. Even more specifically, this disclosure relates to protective cases that are capable of being inflated to protect their contents (e.g., cameras, camera lenses, camera flashes, etc.), as well as to systems that include inflatable protective cases. Methods for storing and transporting photography equipment are also disclosed.

RELATED ART

A variety of different types of camera bags are currently available. Typically, a camera bag includes a receptacle that may be divided into separate compartments by way of partitions. Each compartment may have a configuration (e.g., a shape, a size, etc.) that enables it to receive one or more types of photography equipment (e.g., a camera or camera body, a lens, a flash, etc.) The partitions of some camera bags may be assembled in a manner that enables a photographer to tailor the compartments within the receptacle to receive his or her photography equipment and arrange it in a desired manner.

In addition to dividing the receptacle of a camera bag into a plurality of compartments that can receive different pieces of photography equipment, the partitions within a camera bag may provide some cushioning for the photography equipment. Accordingly, the partitions are typically made from sheets of a cushioning material (e.g., a closed cell polyethylene foam, etc.), which may be covered with a pliable fabric (e.g., nylon or a nylon blend, such as those available from INVISTA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, under the CORDURA® brand; etc.). While the partitions may separate different pieces of photography equipment from each other, and may provide some cushioning between adjacent pieces when they are suddenly forced together, they do not provide protection against external impacts on the camera bag.

Many camera bags include padded shells or pads that are positioned against the inner surfaces of their shells to protect their contents against external impacts. These pads may also comprise sheets of cushioning material. When such external padding is combined with cushioning partitions, a significant portion of the overall volume of the camera bag can be consumed by its padding. Because of volume consumed by pads and partitions, while designing a camera bag, some compromises may be made between the protection provided by the bag and the overall size of the bag. Thus, relatively thin pads and partitions are used in many camera bags, which may sacrifice some of the protection for the contents of the camera bag.

DISCLOSURE

In various aspects and embodiments, protective cases for camera bags are disclosed. A protective case according to this disclosure is inflatable. An inflatable protective case may provide greater protection for the contents of a camera bag (e.g., pieces of photography equipment, etc.) per a given cushion volume than conventionally employed sheets of foam cushioning materials without adding significant weight to the camera bag. In some embodiments, inflatable protective cases may eliminate the need for added padding around the exterior of a camera bag, which may further decrease the volume and weight of the camera bag.

A protective case for a camera bag may include a base, walls that extend from a first side of the base, and a lid. Each of the base, each wall, and the lid may also be referred to as a “panel.” Adjacent edges of the base and the walls may be secured together or they may be continuous with one another. An edge of the lid may be secured to or continuous with one of the walls. Together, the base and the walls may define a cavity that can receive photography equipment, such as a camera (e.g., a body of a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and, optionally, a lens attached to the camera body; etc.), a lens, a flash, or the like. Free edges of the walls (i.e., those opposite from the edges that are secured to or continuous with the base) may define an opening of the cavity. The lid may be associated (e.g., hingedly associated, flexibly associated, etc.) with one of the walls in a manner that enables it to provide access to the opening (i.e., an open position) or to be positioned over the opening and to enclose the cavity and its contents, if any (i.e., a closed position).

Each of the panels of the protective case may be inflatable. When inflated, a protective case according to this disclosure may protect its contents from impacts with other contents of the receptacle of the camera bag (or any other type of bag) within which it is placed, as well as from external impacts on the bag.

In some embodiments, each of the panels may include a pair of superimposed sheets of a pliable, fluid tight (e.g., airtight, watertight, etc.) fabric that are bonded together at selected locations. Unbonded regions of the superimposed sheets define cells of the panel. The cells of each panel are capable of receiving and retaining a fluid, such as a gas, a mixture of gases (e.g., air, etc.), or a fluid. Additionally, an inflatable protective case may include one or more valves, which may facilitate inflation and deflation of the cells of one or more of its panels. The cells of each wall may be in flow communication with one another, which may enable the cells of a panel to be inflated and/or deflated through the same valve. In some embodiments, the cells of all of the panels may be in flow communication with one another, which may enable the cells of all of the panels to be inflated through a single valve.

In some embodiments, the cells may comprise elongated cells. In embodiments where the cells of the walls of a protective case comprise elongated cells, the elongated cells of each wall may be oriented parallel to one another, while the elongated cells of adjacent walls of the protective case may be oriented in different directions, or the elongated cells of the adjacent walls may be transversely oriented. In some embodiments, the orientation of the elongated cells of one wall (e.g., a first wall, etc.) may be perpendicular to the orientation of the elongated cells of an adjacent wall (e.g., a second wall, etc.). As a non-limiting example of such an arrangement of elongated cells, the elongated cells of one wall may be oriented in generally the same orientation as a plane over which the base of the protective case resides, or substantially parallel to the base (e.g., they may extend substantially horizontally when the protective case is positioned on its base), while the elongated cells of an adjacent wall may be oriented generally perpendicular the orientation of the plane over which the base resides, or substantially perpendicular to the base (e.g., they may extend substantially vertically when the protective case is positioned on its base). When a protective case with adjacent walls that include transversely oriented elongated cells is inflated, the transverse orientations of the elongated cells of the adjacent walls may enhance a rigidity of the protective case, and may impart the protective case with structural characteristics that enable it to resist compression in both top-to-bottom and side-to-side directions. These characteristics may further enhance the protection such a protective case may provide for its contents.

In some embodiments, the protective case may have shape that corresponds to, or complements, a shape of a portion of a receptacle of a camera bag with which the protective case is to be used. Without limitation, a protective case may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of a portion of a receptacle of a camera bag (e.g., a top portion of the receptacle, such as within a pocket that defines the top portion, as shown in FIG. 9; a bottom portion of the receptacle; etc.).

A protective storage system according to this disclosure, which may be adapted for use with photography equipment, may include a bag (e.g., a camera bag, a day pack, etc.), or a pack, and one or more protective cases. In some embodiments, such a system may also include an inflatable frame.

The bag, or pack, of such a system may include a shell and an interior defined by the shell. The shell may lack padding and/or a structural support element (e.g., a frame, etc.). The interior of the bag may include a primary receptacle, which may be capable of receiving the one or more protective cases and the optional inflatable frame.

The one or more protective cases may be configured in accordance with this disclosure.

The optional inflatable frame may have a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of a panel of the shell of the bag (e.g., a rear panel; a front panel, as shown in FIG. 12); etc.), which may enable it to be placed against the panel in such a way that panel may be pulled over or spread across the inflatable frame. Thus, the inflatable frame may provide structural support for the shell of the bag, prevent the primary receptacle of the bag from collapsing, and may provide for readily access to contents of the primary receptacle of the bag. The inflatable frame may be secured to a panel of the shell (e.g., permanently, removably, etc.). In embodiments where the inflatable frame can be removed from the panel of the shell and from the primary receptacle, it may be inflated while it is separate from the shell, and then replaced within the primary receptacle defined by the shell, against the panel of the shell. In addition to providing the shell of the bag with structural support, the inflatable frame may also cushion the contents of the primary receptacle. In embodiments where the inflatable frame is carried by or capable of being positioned against the rear panel of the shell of the bag, it may additionally provide a cushion between the contents of the primary receptacle of the bag and a back or side of a person carrying the bag.

In another aspect, a method for storing and carrying photography equipment includes placing one or more pieces of photography equipment (e.g., a camera, a lens, a flash, etc., or any combination of the foregoing) into a cavity of a protective case, inflating the protective case, and placing the inflated protective case and its contents into a receptacle of a bag. Optionally, a frame, as well as other items, may also be introduced into the receptacle of the bag.

The protective case may be inflated prior to placing the piece(s) of photography equipment into its cavity. Alternatively, the protective case may be inflated after the piece(s) of photography equipment have been placed into its cavity. In either event, a valve of the protective case may be opened to provide flow communication with cells of the panels of the protective case, and a gas or mixture of gases (e.g., air, etc.) under pressure may be introduced into the cells of the panels. As a non-limiting example, an individual may blow air through the valve and into the cells. Once the cells are inflated, the valve may be closed.

The optional placement of a frame into the receptacle of the bag may occur before the protective case or any other items are introduced into the receptacle. In some embodiments, placement of the frame may include inflation of the frame and positioning of the frame against an interior surface of a shell of the bag (e.g., against a front panel of the shell of the bag, against a rear panel of the shell of the bag, etc.).

Introduction of the protective case into the receptacle of the bag may include placing the protective case into a receptacle of a bag with which the protective case is configured to be used. More specifically, introducing of the protective case into the receptacle may include aligning the protective case with a complementarily configured (e.g., shaped, sized, etc.) portion of the receptacle of the bag and placing, or fitting, the protective case into that portion of the receptacle. In some embodiments, the protective case may be used with a bag that lacks any padding or cushions.

When use of the piece of photography equipment carried by the protective case is desired, the protective case may be deflated and the piece of photography equipment may be removed from the cavity of the protective case. The protective case may be deflated prior to removing the piece of photography equipment from the cavity, which may facilitate removal of the piece of photography equipment from the cavity. Alternatively, the protective case (and any inflatable frame) may be deflated after the piece of photography equipment has been removed from the cavity. Deflation of the protective case may enable the protective case, as well as any photographic equipment storage system of which the protective case is a part, to be compactly stored.

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the preceding disclosure, the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a protective case according to this disclosure, showing the protective case in an uninflated state;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the embodiment of protective case of FIG. 1A in an inflated state, with a lid thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 1C is a representation of an arrangement of panels that may be folded and whose edges may be secured together to define a protective case, such as the embodiment of protective case illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional representation through a portion of a portion of a panel of the embodiment of protective case shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide front views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide first side views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide rear views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide second side views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide top views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIGS. 7A and 7B provide bottom views of the protective case of FIGS. 1A and 1B in uninflated and inflated states, respectively;

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a bag with which a protective case of this disclosure may be used;

FIG. 9 shows a portion of a primary receptacle of the bag of FIG. 8 within which the protective case of FIGS. 1A-7B may be placed;

FIG. 10 depicts an inflatable frame that may be used with the bag shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of placement of the inflatable frame of FIG. 10 within the bag of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-7A depict an embodiment of a protective case 10 in a deflated state. FIGS. 1B-7B depict the same embodiment of protective case 10 in an inflated state. The protective case 10 may include a plurality of panels 20, 30, 40, etc., that define a receptacle 12. Each panel 20, 30, 40, etc., may include an airtight bladder (not shown in FIGS. 1-7A). The bladders of the panels 20, 30, 40, etc., may communicate with one another. Each airtight bladder may communicate with a valve 50, through which one or more corresponding panels 20, 30, 40, etc., may be selectively inflated and/or deflated. As depicted, the protective case 10 includes a single valve 50 that communicates with the airtight bladders of all of the panels 20, 30, 40, etc., of the protective case 10.

The disclosure that follows refers to orientations; for example, front, back, left, right, top, bottom, etc. These and other orientations correspond to the orientations of their respective elements when the protective case 10 is oriented in the manner shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B; they should not be considered to limit the protective case 10 or any of its elements or features to any particular orientation.

In some embodiments, such as that depicted by FIGS. 1A-7A and 1B-7B, the panels 20, 30, 40, etc., may be interconnected; for example, in the manner depicted by FIG. 1C. The panels 20, 30, 40, etc., may be folded and their edges secured (e.g., sewn, bonded, etc.) to each other to define an embodiment of the protective case 10, such as that depicted by FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Panel 20 of the protective case 10 comprises an elongated panel that defines the front side 13, bottom side 14, and back side 15 of the protective case 10. Edges along the left side of the front side 13, bottom side 14, and back side 15 of the panel 20 may be respectively secured corresponding front, bottom, and rear edges of panel 30, which defines a left side 16 of the protective case 10. Likewise, edges along the right side of the front side 13, bottom side 14, and back side 15 of the panel 20 may be respectively secured to corresponding front, bottom, and rear edges of panel 40, which defines a right side 17 of the protective case 10.

In addition, panel 20 may define a top side 18 of the protective case 10. The top side 18 of the protective case 10 may have a configuration that enables it to be selectively positioned in a closed orientation over the receptacle 12 defined by the remaining sides of the protective case 10 or in an open orientation, in which the receptacle 12 is exposed. A back edge of the top side 18 may be continuous with a top edge of the back side 15 defined by the panel 20, while side edges of the top side 18 may remain separate from top edges of panels 30 and 40 (i.e., the left side 16 and right side 17, respectively, of the protective case 10).

A flap 19 may extend from a front edge of the top side 18. The flap 19 may be continuous with the top side 18. The flap 19 may facilitate closing and/or opening of the top side 18 relative to an opening to the receptacle 12. In addition, the flap 19 may enable the top 18 to be secured in place over the opening to the receptacle 12. In some embodiments, cooperating members of a fastener (e.g., a Velcro fastener, etc.) may be positioned on locations of an interior surface of the flap 19 and an exterior surface of the front side 13 that are opposed when the top 18 is in its closed orientation. Alternatively, cooperating members of a clip at the ends of straps that are secured to the flap 19 and the front side 13 of the protective case 20 may engage one another to hold the top 18 in the closed orientation over the opening to the receptacle 12 and disengaged from one another to enable the top 18 to be transitioned (e.g., moved, etc.) from the closed orientation to the open orientation.

With reference to the cross-sectional representation provided by FIG. 1C, panel 20 may include an outer layer 21 and inner layer 23. The outer layer 21 and inner layer 23 may be secured together along their outer peripheral edges 22 and 24, respectively, defining a peripheral seam 25 of the panel 20. Optionally, the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 may also be secured together at one or more discrete locations 26 interior to their respective outer peripheral edges 22 and 24 (i.e., at one or more central locations), which may impart the panel 20 with a quilted appearance. At other locations, opposed surfaces of the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 are not secured to each other, and may be separable from one another, defining cells 27 of the panel 20. Together, the peripheral seam 25, any discrete locations 26 where the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 are secured together, and the cells 27 define a bladder 28 of the panel 20.

In some embodiments, the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 of the panel may be formed from a single sheet of material.

In embodiments where one or both of the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 are defined from flexible materials, the opposed surfaces at such separable locations may be forced apart from one another; for example, when air or another fluid is introduced into the bladder 28, to increase a thickness of the panel 20. Panels 30, 40, etc., may have configurations similar to that of panel 20.

The outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 may comprise any of a variety of suitable materials. Without limitation, the material from which the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 are formed may comprise a gas impermeable material. The material used to make the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 can be gas impermeable. Examples of gas-impermeable materials include, without limitation, films formed from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, urethane, silicone rubber, latex rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded PTFE, butyl rubber, Mylar, or the like. Alternatively, the material from which the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 are formed can be coated or laminated to be gas impermeable. More specifically, the outer layer 21 and/or the inner layer 23 may comprise a fabric that has been coated with a gas impermeable material or laminated to a gas impermeable material. The gas impermeable material that coats or is laminated to the material from which the outer layer 21 and/or the inner layer 23 is formed may comprise a polymer, such as any of the above-identified polymers.

Any of a variety of suitable techniques may be used to secure the outer layer and the inner layer 23 at selected locations; for example, to define the peripheral seam 25 and at any centrally located discrete location(s) 26. For example, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, stamp heat welding, hot plate welding, adhesive bonding, taping, sewing, and other fabric joining techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used. In specific embodiments, the outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23 may be secured together to define the peripheral seam 25 and any centrally located discrete locations 26 with an ultrasonic welding drum or a hot plate welding drum that has been machined and/or is operated in a manner that impresses a pattern into outer layer 21 and the inner layer 23.

The bladder 28 of the panel 20 (and of panels 30, 40, etc.) may be airtight, watertight, or the like. In such embodiments, a compressible fluid (e.g., air, an inert gas, a mixture of inert gases, a compressible liquid, etc.) may be introduced into cells 27 of the bladder 28 to inflate the cells 27 and, thus, the panel 20. As various examples, a compressible fluid may be introduced into the cells 27 of the bladder 28 to a pressure of up to about 2 psi, greater than 2 psi, greater than 3 psi, greater than 5 psi, or even greater than 10 psi. The pressure to which the panel is inflated may be less than 30 psi, less than 15 psi, less than 10 psi, or even less than 5 psi.

With returned reference to FIGS. 1A-7A and 1B-7B, the valve 50 of the protective case 10 communicates with the cells 27 (FIG. 1D) of the bladder 28 (FIG. 1D) of each panel 20, 30, 40, etc., in a manner that enables a compressible fluid to be introduced into and released from the cells 27 of the bladder 28. The valve 50 may have a configuration that enables the cells 27 of the bladder 28 to be inflated as an individual blows into the valve 50 and/or it may have a configuration that enables it to be coupled to a pump (e.g., a manual pump, a mechanical pump, etc.).

When the cells 27 (FIG. 1D) of the panels 20, 30, 40, etc., of the protective case 10 are inflated and the top 18 is in the closed orientation, the protective case 10 may protect an item, such as a camera, other photography equipment, a portable electronic device, or the like, from an impact. Without limitation, the protective case 10 may protect such an item from impacts on a bag or a case (e.g., a backpack, a shoulder bag, a camera bag, etc.) within which the protective case 10 has been placed. In addition, the protective case 10 may protect such an item from impacts by other objects within the bag or case within the bag or case, but outside of the protective case 10. Such impacts may occur in a variety of situations, such as when the bag or case is carried, dropped, or even stored.

In some embodiments, the protective case 10 may include one or more attachment tabs 60. Each attachment tab 60 may include an aperture 62 or another opening capable of receiving a strap, a clip, or another device that may be used to carry the protective case 10. While FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the aperture 62 as comprising a slot, other embodiments of apertures, including without limitation round openings, slits, and the like, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Without limitation, the aperture 62 of the attachment tab 60 may have a configuration that enables it to be engaged by a should strap, a belt, or the like.

FIGS. 8-11 depict an embodiment of a bag 100 with which the protective case 10 may be used. As illustrated by FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the bag 100 may comprise a backpack. In some embodiments, the bag 100 may lack its own padding and any other cushioning elements. The bag 100 may include a receptacle 102 within which the protective case 10 may be placed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the receptacle 102 of the bag 100 may receive an inflatable frame 110, such as the embodiment of inflatable frame 110 depicted by FIG. 10.

Although the preceding description and the accompanying drawings are limited to a few specific embodiments, the specific embodiments that have been described and illustrated should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. All additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A protective case for a camera bag, comprising: a base; walls extending from the base, the base and the walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a camera, ends of the walls located opposite from the base defining an opening of the cavity, the walls including at least a first wall and a second wall located adjacent to one another, each wall of the walls including a pair of superimposed layers joined together at selected locations defining elongated cells that are parallel to one another, in flow communication with one another, and capable of being selectively inflated and deflated, first elongated cells of the first wall extending in a first orientation, second elongated cells of the second wall extending in a second orientation, the first orientation and the second orientation being different from one another; and a lid capable of being positioned over the opening of the cavity.
 2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein, when the walls are inflated, the first orientation of the first elongated cells of the first wall and the second orientation of the second elongated cells of the second wall capable of preventing the protective case from collapsing along a height, a width, and a depth of the cavity.
 3. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the first orientation and the second orientation are perpendicular to one another.
 4. The protective case of claim 3, wherein the first orientation is parallel to a width of the first wall and the second orientation is parallel to a height of the second wall.
 5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the base and the lid are inflatable.
 6. The protective case of claim 5, further comprising: a valve in communication with the elongated cells of the walls and cells of the base and the lid.
 7. The protective case of claim 5, wherein cells of the lid are aligned with elongated cells of a wall of the walls.
 8. The protective case of claim 7, wherein the cells of the lid are aligned with elongated cells of a rear wall of the walls.
 9. The protective case of claim 8, wherein the walls comprise four walls, including the rear wall, a front wall opposite from the rear wall, a first side wall adjoining first edges of the rear wall and the front wall, and a second side wall opposite from the first side wall and adjoining second edges of the rear wall and the front wall.
 10. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the cells of the lid, the elongated cells of the rear wall, and elongated cells of the front wall are oriented parallel to one another and perpendicular to elongated cells of the first side wall and elongated cells of the second side wall.
 11. The protective case of claim 9, wherein: the elongated cells of the rear wall and the elongated cells of the front wall are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base; and the elongated cells of the first side wall and the elongated cells of the second side wall are oriented substantially parallel to the base.
 12. The protective case of claim 7, wherein cells of the base are aligned with the elongated cells of the wall.
 13. A protective storage system for a camera, comprising: a pack including: a shell; an interior defined by the shell, the interior including: a primary receptacle; a protective case caseable into and removable from the primary receptacle of the pack, the protective case comprising an inflatable cavity with: a base; walls extending from the base, the base and the walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a camera, ends of the walls located opposite from the base defining an opening of the cavity, the walls including at least a first wall and a second wall located adjacent to one another, each wall of the walls including a pair of superimposed layers joined together at selected locations defining elongated cells that are parallel to one another and capable of being selectively inflated and deflated, first elongated cells of the first wall extending in a first orientation, second elongated cells of the second wall extending in a second orientation, the first orientation and the second orientation being different from one another; and a lid capable of being positioned over the opening of the cavity.
 14. The protective storage system of claim 13, wherein the pack lacks padding.
 15. The protective storage system of claim 13, wherein the pack lacks a structural support element.
 16. The protective storage system of claim 15, further comprising: an inflatable frame caseable into and removable from the primary receptacle of the pack, the inflatable frame, when inflated, capable of imparting the pack with structural rigidity.
 17. The protective storage system of claim 16, wherein the protective frame has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a major panel of the shell of the pack.
 18. A method for protecting photography equipment, comprising: introducing at least one piece of photography equipment into a cavity of a protective case; inflating panels of the protective case defining the cavity of the protective case; and introducing the protective case into a receptacle of a bag.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein inflating panels occurs before introducing the at least one piece of photography equipment into the cavity.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein inflating panels occurs after introducing the at least one piece of photography equipment into the cavity.
 21. The method of claim 18, introducing the protective case comprises introducing the protective case into a receptacle of a bag that lacks padding. 